How many study hours per night (do you average?)

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Just curious :) Trying to create a pre-nyrsing school schedule to get the family used to the flow so that when I get there, the learning curve will be a bit easier having the family already on the same schedule... (I'm planning on using the time now for independant study, which will also make it easier once I get into classes...)

Thanks!

Maybe 2 or so, depending on what needs to be done, plus whatever I can get done at school in my breaks. I slacked on this stuff last semester, and it showed. I don't really want a repeat performance of that!

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Specializes in ICU.
Ok, everyone does their readings for at least an hour or more per day, but my question is, after reading page after page and chapter after chapter (sometimes up to 500 pages per week, I'm told) how do you retain it all in order to apply it to the exams? I start my very first nursing class on Sunday and I'm so nervous, I don't know what to do with myself:hpygrp:Is there something you guys do such as take notes from your readings, tape lectures, etc?

I find that I retain things better if I look for answers to specific questions while reading the chapters. For instance, the questions at the end of each chapter or one of your online programs (we have many) that coordinate with the textbook. I also review, review, review....it's natural not to retain much of what you read, so try and implement other learning tasks while doing it. Good luck:)

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I can't believe how much some of you study. I think the problem is reading everything that is assigned. It simply takes too long and I refuse to do it.

Here is my test taking system (and yes, I'm not so sure this is for everyone). The instructors post a basic class outline for each module. It is very incomplete, but it's a great guideline for areas to focus on. I then take the outline and go through the related chapters and highlight anything that is covered on the outline. I then browse through all the highlighted areas in the chapter and pick out info that could be used for testing *main points and important values* and I make note cards of this. I usually end up with 75-100 note cards for each test. I don't even worry about learning the info while making the cards... just make them *you will be so glad you have these come time for the final*.

So how long do I spend to complete all this? Well, I honestly do NOT study at all until 3 days before the test. I don't even open a book. Tests are on Monday, so on the Friday before I start to systematically go through each module in the manner described above. I spend 4 hours on fri, 4 hours on sat, 4 hours on sun, and that usually gets all my note cards done. I then wake up about 3 hours before the test on Monday and start going over note cards and pretty much memorizing everything.

So for each test, which is about every three weeks on average, I put in about 15hours total study time all completed in a weekend basically. My course grades are regularly low 90s, and I still have a social life.

The best part about the note cards is the fact that you have most of the work done by finals. I ended up with a bit over 400 note cards that covered everything except the last few modules we did before the final. I spent less time studying for the final than I did for any one test during the semester. Everything you need is already on a note cards and all you have to do is memorize the info. I spent 5 hours memorizing note cards for the final and got a 91/100 on it.

I'm sure that everyone is different, and that not everyone learns best this way, but I am fairly sure that doing it this way is much more beneficial than simply reading every page that is assigned.

good luck!

*edit* Oh yeah, taking a few mins to go through the Nclex style review questions at the end of each chapter can really help. Our instructors would at times steal question ideas from these and just word it a bit differently.

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Here is my test taking system

I printed your plan out, I'm going to try it out. I like the sound of it a lot. Thanks for sharing it....

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I can't believe how much some of you study. I think the problem is reading everything that is assigned. It simply takes too long and I refuse to do it.

thanks so much for your honest opinion. I just don't have time to study the hours that some people have listed. I'm going to try and implement something along your lines and see how I do the first test-go round. If I don't do well, then I'll have to figure something else out.

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Ok, everyone does their readings for at least an hour or more per day, but my question is, after reading page after page and chapter after chapter (sometimes up to 500 pages per week, I'm told) how do you retain it all in order to apply it to the exams? I start my very first nursing class on Sunday and I'm so nervous, I don't know what to do with myself:hpygrp:Is there something you guys do such as take notes from your readings, tape lectures, etc?

Flashcards, digital recorder, learning your best learning style and following the principles of adult learning (10 min break for every 50 min of study). For me, I am a slow reader. I actually read a lot of my text aloud to myself...I also highlight. Then, I go back and read my highlighted stuff. Then I make flashcards....you get the point.

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I feel lucky to get an hour each weekday... many days that doesn't happen. I usually spend about 3-4 hours each weekend day, or at least on one of those days. I work and have children, so I don't have all the time in the world to study. I get so jealous on our half days, or the day before an off day, when my friends say, "Yeah, I'm gonna go home and do the assignment tonight, and finish my reading for the week." And inwardly I am thinking, " I won't have the opportunity to study for three more days. And I haven't even started on my reading. She sucks!" lol

Fortunately, I am a fast learner and academics come naturally to me. So my grades are still excellent. For now. :wink2:

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I can't believe how much some of you study. I think the problem is reading everything that is assigned. It simply takes too long and I refuse to do it.

Here is my test taking system (and yes, I'm not so sure this is for everyone). The instructors post a basic class outline for each module. It is very incomplete, but it's a great guideline for areas to focus on. I then take the outline and go through the related chapters and highlight anything that is covered on the outline. I then browse through all the highlighted areas in the chapter and pick out info that could be used for testing *main points and important values* and I make note cards of this. I usually end up with 75-100 note cards for each test. I don't even worry about learning the info while making the cards... just make them *you will be so glad you have these come time for the final*.

So how long do I spend to complete all this? Well, I honestly do NOT study at all until 3 days before the test. I don't even open a book. Tests are on Monday, so on the Friday before I start to systematically go through each module in the manner described above. I spend 4 hours on fri, 4 hours on sat, 4 hours on sun, and that usually gets all my note cards done. I then wake up about 3 hours before the test on Monday and start going over note cards and pretty much memorizing everything.

So for each test, which is about every three weeks on average, I put in about 15hours total study time all completed in a weekend basically. My course grades are regularly low 90s, and I still have a social life.

The best part about the note cards is the fact that you have most of the work done by finals. I ended up with a bit over 400 note cards that covered everything except the last few modules we did before the final. I spent less time studying for the final than I did for any one test during the semester. Everything you need is already on a note cards and all you have to do is memorize the info. I spent 5 hours memorizing note cards for the final and got a 91/100 on it.

I'm sure that everyone is different, and that not everyone learns best this way, but I am fairly sure that doing it this way is much more beneficial than simply reading every page that is assigned.

good luck!

*edit* Oh yeah, taking a few mins to go through the Nclex style review questions at the end of each chapter can really help. Our instructors would at times steal question ideas from these and just word it a bit differently.

I got a Bachelor's 12 years ago, so it's like I am starting over with regards to finding the study habits that work for me. After reading your post, I was thinking...'wow, we do the exact same thing' until I got to the part about you not studying until 3 days prior to the test. I couldn't do that because I would forget the knowledge after the test. For me, a slooowwww leak into the brain is better! I totally agree that you do not have to read EVERY page. I think a lot of it is hit or miss...trying out different study methods.

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I guess my 4th semester things really got difficult. I do not understand how you didn't even study and you were passing? You should of went for your doctorates to challenge your mind a little. I bet you would make a great doctor.. I guess you do have a point though I mean really all nurses really do is clean up bedpans, play with blood. You remind me of one of my clinical instructors, "nursing is common sense. Everyone wants to make it so hard." I don't know I suppose if you had just the formula for studying which is 3 hrs/each hr lecture/wk.

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depend mostly 6-8 hours a day. nothing on clinical day. sometimes i will take a sat and just study 4 hours.

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i am about to start the rn program this fall, in a couple weeks. my acceptance letter said 'be prepared to spend about 25 hours outside of class with assignments and studying'.

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Specializes in CNA/LPN.

I don't have a daily study regimen, but I study the material depending on the intensity of it and depending on how well it clicks in my brain. I would say I average at about 2 hours/night on a usual basis, give or take. Weekends I tend to find a bit more study time to utilize. I try too study a minimum of 12 hours a week, although I love to get more time in so I can make sure I thoroughly know the material that is expected of me.

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